Reclaiming Feminism: Challenging Everyday Misogyny

by Miriam E. David

Overview

Since second-wave feminism of the 1970s, women's rights and opportunities in education and employment have increased across the globe, but has equality, whether social, political or legal, really been achieved? In this fascinating book, Miriam E. David, a well-known and influential feminist in higher education, celebrates the achievements of international feminists as activists and scholars. She provides a critique of the expansion of global higher education masking their pioneering zeal and zest for knowledge. Looking at the changing zeitgeist, David contends that feminism has yet to have an enduring influence, despite how generations of women have felt empowered. She illustrates the power of patriarchal social relations and how everyday sexism or misogyny is keenly felt. This impassioned book asks whether a feminist-friendly future is possible, or indeed, desirable.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781447328179
Publisher:	Bristol University Press
Publication date:	08/01/2016
Edition description:	First Edition
Pages:	256
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 8.60(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Professor Miriam E. David has an international reputation for her research on gender, families, social diversity and inequalities in education, including higher education. She is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (FRSA) and the Academy of Social Sciences (FAcSS). In 2009 was awarded an honorary doctorate of education by the University of Bedfordshire and in 2015 received a lifetime achievement award by the Gender and Education Association. She was a founder trustee of the British Shalom Salaam Trust, is Chair of the Trustees of the Women's Therapy Centre and involved with the Feminist Library’s archiving of materials and campaigns for women today.

Table of Contents

A note about the waves of feminism; 1. Feminist reflections on a lifetime in academe; 2. Changing feminism; 3. Feminist pioneers; 4. Gender and generations; 5. Cultivating feminists; 6. A feminist resurgence; 7. Feminists on campus; 8. Feminist fortunes;

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"Excellent panoramic view of what fifty years of feminism has done, or can ever do for women, in both the academic and the real world." Michele Hanson, Guardian journalist and author of What the Grown-ups Were Doing

“Not only is this book a deeply moving memoir of a prominent feminist life – it also deals with topical issues like sexual harassment on campus which concerns young women today.” Professor Heidi Safia Mirza author of Race Gender and Educational Desire: Why Black women succeed and fail

"Today it is vital that David's message of feminist commitments extends into professional education. Focusing on schooling of the young, this domain reaches into a possible future." Lynda Stone, Samuel M Holton Distinguished Professor, University of North Carolina, USA

“This panoramic view of the five waves of feminism shows that despite more females than males in higher education, 21st century campuses continue to be plagued by misogyny, neo-liberalism and laddish behaviour.” Jane Grant author of In the steps of exceptional women, The Story of the Fawcett Society 1866-2016

Editorial Reviews

"David writes accessibly, punctuating her political and sociological commentary with personal reflections that are elegantly informed, and underpinned by her long career as feminist academic and activist." Emma Rees, Times Higher Education

"Immensely readable and informative, this book brings together the history and sociology of feminism in Britain and beyond for new students, delighting older feminists with its remarkable wisdom about the past." Professor Sharon Lamb, University of Massachusetts Boston

"The final result is a book shining with personal memories and tributes to individual women, as well as intelligent ― but not heavy-going ― discussion of the development of the women's movement and of the contributions of feminist scholars over the years." Older Feminist Network Newsletter

"This book powerfully sets out how reclaiming and reinventing feminist futures continues to matter. It's a must read for new generations of academic feminists struggling to challenge and change neo-patriarchal structures and practices in education and beyond." Professor Emma Renold, Cardiff University

"This inspiring and important memoir shows David at her best - as rigorous and seasoned scholar, academic and activist, as well as consummate reporter of the achievements and thoughts of feminists of different generations." Professor Helen Taylor, University of Exeter

"This is a treasure for feminism and where it is going! A comprehensive, up-to-the-minute history, challenging HE to re-commit, in solidarity with ALL women, to face down the rampant misogyny that neo-liberalism has produced" Berny McMahon, Maynooth University

From the Publisher

David’s book is both manifesto and lament; a journey through fifty years of post-second-wave feminist activism, celebrating women’s achievements while simultaneously acknowledging that we must still ask the question: ‘How inimical is the patriarchal neoliberal academy to feminism?’ David writes accessibly, punctuating her political and sociological commentary with personal reflections that are elegantly informed, and underpinned by her long career as feminist academic and activist.

Times Higher Education, Book of the Week - Emma Rees

Not only is this book a deeply moving memoir of a prominent feminist life—it also deals with topical issues like sexual harassment on campus which concerns young women today.

Heidi Safia Mirza

Immensely readable and informative, this book brings together history and sociology of feminism in Britain and beyond for new students, delighting older feminists with its remarkable wisdom about the past.

Sharon Lamb

Excellent panoramic view of what fifty years of feminism has done, or can ever do for women, in both the academic and the real world.

Michele Hanson

This inspiring and important memoir shows David at her best—as rigorous and seasoned scholar, academic and activist, as well as consummate reporter of the achievements and thoughts of feminists of different generations.

Helen Taylor